Well, it's been 35 years in the making, but that's how long it's taken to have my first serious accident on a dirt bike. Plenty of come off's in that time but nothing that landed me in hospital.
Was on a night run about 6 weeks ago to one of our favourite beach locations. Leave in the daylight, ride on some single track and lovely beach's, to meet the wives at the destination with a BBQ set up. Had a great ride and dinner, then choofed off home again about 10pm.
We take turns in eating dust and it was my turn to create it. Was way out in front in the dark on a dusty straight road struggling with poor light from the 570 and doing around 70 mph. Next thing I know I am swallowing my own dirt, and fluttering around on the ground like a moth. I still have no clear recall of what happened, but assume I caught a rut or rock which I was not expecting.
Over the bars I went and the bike flipped a few times landing upside down on the bars and seat and was still running when the lads caught up with me. Totally winded and unable to breathe I was hurting real bad. I'm no whimp and really wanted to get back on her and ride the last 10 kays home but it took all my effort just to breathe again.
Thank god for mobile phones !! The call was made and a friend soon arrived with a trailer for my bike and a trip for me to the hospital. In all I spent 9 days in hospital with a badly squashed lung with internal bleeding, 5 ribs were broken right through with a total of 9 breaks. 4 breaks on the front separated from my sternum, and 5 breaks on the back separated from my spine (flaid (Flayed ?) chest is the term bandied around). It has been one very painful and long recovery. 6 weeks on and I am still popping pain killers like smarties. So sad, too bad !! I will live and ride again. I am itching to get back on my bike again and hope to do so in the next 3 to 4 weeks.
But here's the amazing and good news. My bike.
With all the damage done to me, my first question to my mates when I came to, was "How's my bike looking ?"
All the FE570 got was a fairly small scratch to the left side rear plastic guard. That's it !!!
I could not believe how tough this bike was (pity didnt only get a scratch)
NO twisted bars, NO broken levers, zero, zip zilch !!
I have already sanded out the scratch, and it's right where I intend to put my race number anyway !!
So if you doub't the toughness of these bikes, fear not, they will fare better than you !!
Was on a night run about 6 weeks ago to one of our favourite beach locations. Leave in the daylight, ride on some single track and lovely beach's, to meet the wives at the destination with a BBQ set up. Had a great ride and dinner, then choofed off home again about 10pm.
We take turns in eating dust and it was my turn to create it. Was way out in front in the dark on a dusty straight road struggling with poor light from the 570 and doing around 70 mph. Next thing I know I am swallowing my own dirt, and fluttering around on the ground like a moth. I still have no clear recall of what happened, but assume I caught a rut or rock which I was not expecting.
Over the bars I went and the bike flipped a few times landing upside down on the bars and seat and was still running when the lads caught up with me. Totally winded and unable to breathe I was hurting real bad. I'm no whimp and really wanted to get back on her and ride the last 10 kays home but it took all my effort just to breathe again.
Thank god for mobile phones !! The call was made and a friend soon arrived with a trailer for my bike and a trip for me to the hospital. In all I spent 9 days in hospital with a badly squashed lung with internal bleeding, 5 ribs were broken right through with a total of 9 breaks. 4 breaks on the front separated from my sternum, and 5 breaks on the back separated from my spine (flaid (Flayed ?) chest is the term bandied around). It has been one very painful and long recovery. 6 weeks on and I am still popping pain killers like smarties. So sad, too bad !! I will live and ride again. I am itching to get back on my bike again and hope to do so in the next 3 to 4 weeks.
But here's the amazing and good news. My bike.
With all the damage done to me, my first question to my mates when I came to, was "How's my bike looking ?"
All the FE570 got was a fairly small scratch to the left side rear plastic guard. That's it !!!
I could not believe how tough this bike was (pity didnt only get a scratch)
NO twisted bars, NO broken levers, zero, zip zilch !!
I have already sanded out the scratch, and it's right where I intend to put my race number anyway !!
So if you doub't the toughness of these bikes, fear not, they will fare better than you !!
